What does hydrogen peroxide do for plants?

Put away the pricey plant sprays, because you can use hydrogen peroxide for plants in a myriad of ways. This common household item, which you may have sitting in your medicine cabinet or under the kitchen sink, can be used for everything from disinfecting to stimulating plant growth.

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It's one of those do-it-all ingredients that you should always have on hand&#;and that you should always turn to before buying a specialized plant product that addresses just one issue.

Here are five ways to use hydrogen peroxide for plants that you can start using on your houseplants and outdoor garden today.

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that is used as an antiseptic and bleach. Around the house, it can be used for everything from eliminating odors to cleaning bathrooms to brightening laundry. Generally, you'll use a 3% concentration in the garden and home--and dilute it with water as needed.

Benefits of Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Plants

Some gardeners swear by this household basic's properties and benefits.

• It's an affordable alternative to more expensive plant solutions and remedies, which makes it an excellent first line of defense.
• It is a chemical compound that oxygenates soil and promotes plant growth.
• It is generally harmless to plants as long as it's properly diluted.
• Because it has disinfecting properties, it can treat a variety of bacterial and fungal infections.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Disinfect Garden Tools

You may not often think about disinfecting your garden tools, but it's an essential step whenever you're dealing with plants that could have bacteria or fungus lurking. You don't want to contaminate other plants, and garden tools should be disinfected any time they come into contact with a diseased plant.

1. Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water in a spray bottle or a bin.
2. Spray or soak the garden tools.
3. Let them sit with the solution for five to ten minutes.
4. Rinse and dry.

Tip

You can also use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the water of a hydroponic plant. Add two and a half teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide to one liter of water. This will help keep the plant's environment healthy.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Boost Plant Growth

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Because it oxygenates the soil, hydrogen peroxide may help aerate the soil, providing better access to oxygen for plant roots. It also helps disinfect the growing material to stave off bacteria and fungus.

1. Mix two and a half teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in a gallon spray jug.
2. Spray it liberally onto the potting soil or into the already planted pots.
3. Continue every three to five days, concentrating on the roots as the plant grows.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Combat Root Rot

Hydrogen peroxide's oxygenating properties are exactly what a plant needs when it's suffering from root rot. While it can't bring back a plant that's completely gone, it can make an impact when you intervene early.

1. Remove the plant from its current potting soil, making sure to rinse off all the soil from the roots.
2. Cut off the areas of the roots that have been infected with root rot.
3. Saturate the root ball with a strong spray bottle mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water.
4. Disinfect the container, and repot the plant in new potting soil. Let it dry before watering, and be careful not to overwater.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Repel Pests

Even if fungal infections or pests have already started to attack your plants, it's not too late to try hydrogen peroxide. Because of its disinfecting properties, hydrogen peroxide can help fight fungal infections, including powdery mildew, and repel insects and pests. It can also kill eggs and larvae.

1. Mix four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into a pint of water in a large spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture onto affected areas from the top to the bottom, leaf to roots.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Kill Weeds

Used wisely, hydrogen peroxide can be used to kill weeds in your garden. The trick is keeping it away from areas where your own carefully sowed plants are growing.

1. Make a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution (stronger than the others 3% solutions!) in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the plants, letting the hydrogen peroxide scorch them and kill them back.
3. Pull the dead weeds and continue to use the solution as a weed killer in those areas to prevent them from returning.

FAQ

• What strength of hydrogen peroxide should I use?

  For most household and garden applications, look for a 3% hydrogen peroxide, then dilute it in water as necessary.

• Are there plants that react poorly to hydrogen peroxide?

  All plants can generally tolerate hydrogen peroxide, however it must be diluted. If it is left at full strength, it can bleach or damage leaves.

What's the difference between H2O (water) and H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide)?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), occurs naturally in rainwater and acts as nature's cleanser. It oxygenates soil and bodies of water, is non-toxic and safe to use around food, people and animals. 

For more Hydrogen Peroxide Plantinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Hydrogen Peroxide 

Adding it when watering your indoor plants, mimics whatMother Naturedoes for outdoor plants every time it rains.is distilled water with an. H2O means 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen atom. The extra 2 in H2O2 means 2 hydrogens and 2 oxygen atoms, called hydrogen peroxide.

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What is Hydrogen Peroxide used for?

In human health, hydrogen peroxide has been used at different strengths for everything from wound care to toothpaste and cleaning. For our plants, hydrogen peroxide is used by plant hobbyists and growers to prevent and treat a range of nasties, while promoting better health, restoring a healthier balance for our indoor plants to thrive in.

In New Zealand the brand I use is Oxygen Plus Hydrogen Peroxide 3% or 6% double-strength but for my international plant friends, look for 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide like Essential Oxygen 3% available on Amazon.

How does Hydrogen Peroxide help plants?

The most common uses of hydrogen peroxide for plants includes: Eliminates root rot while supporting growth of healthier roots. Eliminates fungal infections. Treats fungus gnat infestations. Increases oxygen, creating an environment that harmful anaerobic bacteria, mould, fungi and diseases dislike, but roots love, supporting healthier plants and naturally repelling pests and insects. 

How do you use Oxygen Plus Hydrogen Peroxide?

The dose depends on what you need to promote or prevent. Find the issue you need help with below to check the dose before use. Please note the rates below are based on using Oxygen Plus 3% for Plants. If using Oxygen Plus 6% you need to either halve the amount of hydrogen peroxide, or double the amount of water below.

 
*Please note some leaves are more sensitive to foliar sprays than others, including Peace Lily and Orchids. Take the same precautions as any treatment applied to leaves. Either avoid spraying on plants with sensitive leaves, or always do a test spray on a couple of leaves 2 days before treating the rest of the plant when using Hydrogen Peroxide as a foliar spray*

Hydrogen peroxide to treat Root Rot

If caught in time, there is hope. H202 kills the bacteria and fungi in the soil responsible for root rot, and restores oxygen to help remaining roots recover faster.  Directions: 1:1 ratio of Oxygen Plus 3% and water. Bottom water or top water so potting mix is fully saturated. Avoid leaves (pouring at this strength on leaves can burn them). 

Pests and Insect Repellent (including Fungus Gnats!)

Use during watering for root pests:

For larvae and pests living in potting mix: Wait until top layer of potting mix is dry and the plant needs watering. Mix 1:4 ratio. 1 part Oxygen Plus 3% to 4 parts water (eg: 1 cup to 4 cups). Either spray or saturate soil by bottom or top watering as normal. Depending on the insect, adults may continue to lay eggs, so best used in conjunction with treatment such as sticky traps to kill adults as well (sticky trays available here on Amazon if you're not in New Zealand). For Fungus Gnats, the larvae tend to concentrate in the top layers of the soil, so you can simply spray the top layer instead of fully watering.

For pests that live on and eat leaves: Mix 1:1 ratio. Lightly spray the entire plant. Best used in a fine mist spray bottle. Spray only (do not pour on leaves). Let air dry out of direct sunlight. Always spray-test one or two leaves the first time, especially for sensitive / thinner-leafed plants, to check for a reaction. 

To support healthier, faster root growth

H2O2 provides extra oxygen to roots for growth and germination:

To sanitise seeds: Use undiluted H2O2 3%. Put seeds in a container that can be sealed. Pour Oxygen Plus to just cover seeds. Seal and soak seeds for 4 hours. Rinse with water.

To speed up germination: Mix 30mls H2O2 3% with 2 cups of water (a measuring cup makes it easy to get the right amount). Soak seeds overnight, then plant as usual. 

For planted seedlings: Spray with H2O2 solution of 1 part H2O2 3% to 32 parts water (eg: around 30mls per 1 litre - measuring cup recommended).

For established plants: Mix 30mls of 3% per 1 litre of water. Bottom or top water as usual (water soil only, do not pour on leaves).

For Hydroponics and Aquaponics

Harmful bacteria present in hydroponic gardens thrive in water with low oxygen content. Used in hydroponics, H2O2 3% boosts oxygen and helps combat low oxygen found in warm, room temperature water. Mix 2 to 3 teaspoons to 3.7 litres of water. Pour over plants.

To treat Potting Mix before use

Disinfect organic potting mix to kill bacteria and diseases before use. Spray or sprinkle 1/2 a cup of H2O2 3% over the potting mix before use, until lightly damp, and mix in thoroughly before potting up. You can also mix 1:1 in a spray bottle and mist the surface generously, so when mixed through the entire potting mix is lightly moist.

To eliminate Fungal Infections

When the plant needs watering, flush water with a 1/4 cup of H2O2 3% with 4 cups of water. Water heavily until the mixture drips out the drainage holes and the soil is fully saturated. Make sure to tilt the pot as you go to cover all areas of potting mix. 

To clean a Humidifier

Mix 1 part H2O2 3% to 4 parts water. Fill your humidifier and leave it to soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Rinse out, and leave to air dry. 

For all 50+ uses for Hydrogen Peroxide, see more here 

Where can I buy Hydrogen Peroxide in New Zealand?

From me here at Love That Leaf :) I stock the Oxygen Plus 3% Hydrogen Peroxide which the doses and directions for use above is based on, and also the new Oxygen Plus 6% Double-Strength (for that you either halve the H2O2 dose above, or double the water). 

Where can I buy Hydrogen Peroxide in the USA?

You want to look for 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide like Essential Oxygen 3% available on Amazon.

 
*Please note some leaves are more sensitive to foliar sprays than others, including Peace Lily and Orchids. Take the same precautions as any treatment applied to leaves, and either avoid spraying on plants with sensitive leaves, or always do a test spray on a couple of leaves 2 days before treating the rest of the plant when using Hydrogen Peroxide as a foliar spray* 

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